Kulbergs still has no coalition solution as new Saeima convenes
After the 15th Saeima's first sitting on 3 November, election winner Andris Kulbergs still has no clear path to forming a government. He will continue talks with all elected parties, and a minority government is not ruled out.
Latvia's newly elected 15th Saeima, the national parliament, began work on 3 November, but Andris Kulbergs, leader of the United List, whose party won the most support in the elections, still has no coalition solution. The composition of the next government therefore remains unknown.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs addressed the deputies at the opening sitting. He said society places very high hopes on the deputies and on the next government. He added that even bold decisions must be well thought through, and that lawmakers must be able to explain and justify them to the public.
Choosing partners
One of the first major decisions Kulbergs will have to explain to the public is the choice of government partners. He is in no hurry. At the start of the week he completed the first official round of talks with the parties elected to the Saeima, finishing with the Latvija pirmajā vietā (Latvia First) party.
"Everyone has said they are ready to work in government," Kulbergs told the magazine Ir. At the same time, he has not made an offer to anyone so far. He promised to continue talks with all of them this week, including the Suverēno varu / Apvienība Jaunlatvieši grouping, with which no meeting has taken place yet.
Kulbergs explained that he wants to describe the changes his side intends to make, because these are also elected deputies who sit in the Saeima and will vote.
Minority government option
A minority government model has not been ruled out either. Ainārs Šlesers of the LPV party loudly promises to support it.
